Families of Missing Men Hope Both Will Be Found Alive

GILCHRIST COUNTY - More than 48 hours after two Gilchrist County men were swept away by strong currents, their families are gathering to continue the search along the Suwannee River.

Christina Melendez says her husband, Al Melendez, 38, was playing with his family along the banks of the Suwannee River Monday night. After Melendez's 8-year-old son Taylor lost his footing and fell into the water, Haemant Nathooran, 19, who was dating Melendez's daughter, then jumped into the water to save the boy, only to get caught in the current too.

That's when Melendez jumped into the water to save both of them. After he was able grab a hold of his son and pass him to shore, the family says Melendez then dove down to try and save Nathooran, but never surfaced.

Although divers have not been able to find any sign of the two men, the Melendez family says they are still holding out hope that both will be found somewhere along the river bank alive. They are asking residents who live along the Suwannee River to keep their eyes open for any sign of the two men.

The family says Melendez's daughter, Crissy, is currently pregnant with Nathooran's child, and that Melendez was very much looking forward to becoming a grandfather.